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Plan Your Visit
Key Information
Choosing an Entrance PassDo you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass. How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.
Entrance PassesIndiana Dunes is home to both a national park and a state park. Both are incredible parks that offer countless recreation opportunities. However, Indiana Dunes National Park is owned by the federal government and Indiana Dunes State Park is owned by the State of Indiana. As such, each park has fees and passes that are separate and unique. None of the passes and fees work between the two parks. If you have any questions regarding park passes, please stop by or call the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. Standard Entrance Pass$15.00–$25.00
Indiana Dunes is home to both a national park and a state park. Both are incredible parks that offer countless recreation opportunities. However, Indiana Dunes National Park is owned by the federal government and Indiana Dunes State Park is owned by the State of Indiana. As such, each park has fees and passes that are separate and unique. None of the passes and fees work between the two parks.
If you have any further questions regarding national park and state park passes, please stop by or call the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 219 395-1882.
For VehiclesIf you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass. Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses. 7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Motorcycle
Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase) In-person Purchase Locations
7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle
Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase). In-person Purchase Locations
For Individuals without a VehicleIf you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass. 7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups)
Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour. In-person Purchase Locations
For Organizations & BusinessesEntry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people.
Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate). In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people. In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people.
In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00
Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons.
In-person Purchase Locations
 Annual Entrance - Park$45.00 Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass
This pass provides entry for the pass owner(s) and passengers in a family-sized vehicle. This pass only works at the Indiana Dunes National Park and is not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park.
Passes can be purchased from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, seasonally at the West Beach kiosk, or online at recreation.gov. In-person Purchase Locations
America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass. How to Get an America the Beautiful PassIn Person (Recommended)Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites. Order Online, Receive by MailTo receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead. 2025 Free Entrance Days in the National ParksCome experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
Places To Purchase A Pass7-Day entrance passes, Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass, and Interagency Passes can be purchased from the following locations:
7-Day entrance passes and Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Passes may also be purchased from:
7-Day entrance pass offered with stay only
Have Questions?Follow this link to watch an informative video about the new entrance fees and passes available. Why the fee?The fee revenue will help fund a wide variety of deferred maintenance and new projects like the Marquette Greenway Bike Trail, parking and transportation improvements, and visitor services for a park that has seen its attendance increase from 1.7 million visitors to more than 3 million since its name change in February of 2019. At least 55% of this revenue must be used for maintenance while the rest can be used to supplement operations and fund improvements to visitor services. Will this fee be accepted at Indiana Dunes State Park?No, this new fee is only for the national park and does not cover the fee collected by the state for entrance into the Indiana Dunes State Park. Will my Federal Lands Pass work for this fee?Yes, the following federal passes will work:
Will my Indiana State Parks Pass be a accepted for this fee?No. How will people pay the fee?Fees are paid at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, the West Beach Entrance Station (seasonally) and on-line at Recreation.gov. We do not plan to build entrance stations at each parking lot. Do you have to pay an entrance fee every day?The $25 vehicle pass is good for 7 days or you can buy an annual pass for that is good for a year from when it is purchased. Is it ever free to enter the National Park?Yes, there are five days a year when all national parks are free to enter:
Do you have to pay the fee to drive, bike or kayak/boat though the park?No, simply passing through the park on roads, bike trails or by water (Little Calumet River or Lake Michigan) does not require an entrance fee. However, if you stop in the park to walk a trail, use the beach, eat in a picnic shelter, or use other park facilities, an entrance fee should be paid. Do delivery trucks or other commercial vehicles have to pay a fee?No, vehicles entering the park to do work or deliver goods do not have to pay the fee. Do School Groups have to pay the fee for field trips?No, educational groups coming to the park can receive an Educational Fee Waiver. They need to contact the park at least three weeks in advance to request the waiver. Why do I see vehicles in official lots without parking passes?Many visitors (especially on holidays and weekends) pay the park's entrance fee electronically. Parking enforcers access this information remotely to determine if a vehicle has paid. My question is not in this FAQ. How do I get it answered?Call the park’s visitor information line at 219-395-1882. Closed
 Campground consists of two loops containing 66 camp-sites (53 conventional drive-in sites and 13 walk/carry-in sites). Four sites are wheelchair accessible (numbers 15, 30, 41 and 55). Each loop has modern restrooms and hot/cold showers. Some sites have limited recreational vehicle length. Convenience stores and a gas station are located 1/4 mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway Ave. in the town of Beverly Shores. Campground closed during winter, Nov 2 - Mar 31.
TOTAL SITES: 66 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 53 Tent Only: 66 Walk to/Boat to: 13 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy Fires must be in camping rings only. Camping stoves are permitted. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches. Standard Night Fee $25.00 per night. $25.00 Access Pass The Access Pass provides a 50% each night. $12.50 Senior Pass Senior Lifetime and Senior Annual $12.50 Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address 1100 North Mineral Springs RoadPorter, IN 46304 Physical Address Golf Wood RoadBeverly Shores, IN 46360 Directions From I-94 Depart I-94 at exit 26B, take ramp right and follow signs for IN-49 North 1.0 mi Keep left to stay on IN-49 / N State Road 49 0.8 mi Take ramp left 338 ft Turn sharp right onto US-12 E / W Dunes Hwy 4.7 mi Turn right onto Broadway at gas station on the corner 322 ft . Turn left onto Golf Wood RdRegulations Stays are limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.
Image Gallery
 NPS graphic  NPS Photo / S. Rossi  NPS / Joseph Gruzalski
Accessibility Information
ADA Information - The campground loop is paced. Sites 15, 30, 41, and 55 are accessible. Facilities, located in the center of both loops, are also accessible. Wheelchair Access - Most sites are packed gravel. Accessible sites 15,30,41, and 55 are paved. Some walk-in sites have stairs. RV & Trailer Information - All site information is available on the following webpage: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/258887 RVs and Trailers must fit on site. RV Allowed - Yes Trailer Allowed - Yes Classification - This campground is a limited development campground. Closed
 The Dunbar Group Site holds up to 30 people and is located less than 500 feet from the beach. The site overlooks the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Parking and restrooms are located in the Dunbar Beach parking lot, 400 feet from the site.
TOTAL SITES: 1 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 10 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 30 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy All fires must be made in the provided fire ring. Please do not collect sticks for fires. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches. Group Site Rate The group site rate is valid for up to 30 people in 10 tents. There are no discounts on group sites. $100.00 Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address 1100 North Mineral Springs RdPorter, IN 46304 Physical Address Lake Front DriveBeverly Shores, IN 46304 Directions From Broadway and Lake Front Drive, head west on Lake Front Drive. At the stop sign at Dunbar Ave turn south. The parking lot is at the top of the hill on the west side of the road.Regulations Stays are limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.
Image Gallery
 NPS Photo / S. Rossi  NPS Photo / S. Rossi  NPS Photo / S. Rossi
Accessibility Information
ADA Information - There is a large hill with uneven terrain to walk up to get to the group site. The site is grass covered. Restrooms are located downhill in the parking lot. Wheelchair Access - The site is not wheelchair accessible. RV & Trailer Information - Trailers and RVs can not fit into the Dunbar parking lot. There is no space to turn around. RV Allowed - No Trailer Allowed - No Classification - This campground is a designated primitive campsite. Closed
 The Central Beach Walk-In Sites has 5 sites, and you will walk a distance to get to your campsite. There is a primitive toilet (porta-potty) by the Central Beach parking lot for the entire season. There is no drinkable water in the area so you must bring your own water.
TOTAL SITES: 5 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 5 Walk to/Boat to: 0 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy All fires must be made in the provided fire ring. Please do not collect sticks for fires. • Damaging trees, especially cutting down or driving nails into trees is prohibited. • Fireworks, including sparklers, are prohibited. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches. Standard Night Fee $25.00 per night. $25.00 Access Pass The Access Pass provides a 50% each night. $12.50 Senior Pass Senior Lifetime and Senior Annual $12.50 Email Address Phone number (Voice) 219-395-1882 Mailing Address 1100 North Mineral Springs RoadPorter, IN 46304 Physical Address Central Avenue Beach Parking Lot151 Central Ave Michigan City, IN 46360 Directions Central Ave Beach Parking Lot Location: One mile north of the intersection of Central Avenue and U.S. Highway 12 in the Town of Pines. | GPS Coordinates (Decimal Degrees) of Important Locations: • CAMPSITE 1 = 41.701817, -86.947814 • CAMPSITE 2 = 41.702065, -86.946963 • CAMPSITE 3 = 41.702318, -86.945316 • CAMPSITE 4 = 41.702482, -86.944833 • CAMPSITE 5 = 41.702718, -86.944243 • COMFORT STATION (seasonal) = 41.702805, -86.950888 • PARKING LOT = 41.701407, -86.949050Additional Information • 1 picnic table at each site. Regulations • Stays are limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.
Image Gallery
 NPS Graphic
Accessibility Information
ADA Information - There is a large hill with uneven terrain to walk up to get to each site. The site is grass covered. There is a porta potty at the entrance of Central Beach and seasonal restrooms are located downhill at the Central Beach shoreline. Wheelchair Access - The site is not wheelchair accessible. RV & Trailer Information - Trailers and RVs cannot fit into the Central Beach parking lot. There is no space to turn around. RV Allowed - No Trailer Allowed - No Classification - This campground is a primitive camping area. 
Picnic Shelter ReservationsThere are picnic shelters located at many locations within Indiana Dunes National Park. Most are first come, first served, with the following exceptions:
Learn more about picnicking at Indiana Dunes National Park... 
Your Fee Dollars At WorkThe fees you pay when visiting Indiana Dunes National Park or when staying in the campgrounds make a difference. Entrance Fees are used to provide custodial and lifeguard services. Without you, the visitor, these services would not be possible. Fees collected from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allowed us to complete projects like:
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Last updated: December 18, 2024